Colon perforation during colonoscopy – the role of an anaesthesiologist in patient management. A case report

Abstract

Colon perforation is a serious complication of colonoscopy. Clinical signs and symptoms depend on the specific characteristics of the perforation (e.g., size, location, and aetiology) and patient’s general status. The paper presents a case of an 81-year-old man who underwent diagnostic colonoscopy with perforation of the sigmoid diverticulum. The endoscopist was unsuccessful in ceiling the sigmoid perforation by clipping. Therefore, emergency laparotomy was performed, during which the perforation was repaired. Postoperatively, the patient was cared for in an intensive care unit. He was discharged from the intensive care unit to general surgery on day 3 postoperatively in a good general condition. Colon perforation at colonoscopy is one of the most serious complications, with early diagnosis and surgical repair being the key to successful outcome. Proper anaesthetic management is centred around correction of metabolic, cardiovascular and respiratory derangements, which is also crucial for patient outcomes.